Miscanthus sacchariflorus (Maxim.) Hack.

RHS Plant Profile

Amur silver grass

RHS 1999

Grass Like Herbaceous Perennial

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A vigorous, upright deciduous grass to 2.5m or more in height, the long arching leaves 3cm wide, with a prominent white midrib; in autumn, fan-shaped silky flowering panicles appear, lasting into winter

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Miscanthus can be deciduous or evergreen grasses with tufted or spreading habit, erect stems bearing arching, linear leaves and terminal panicles of silky spikelets in late summer or autumn
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Far East

How to Grow

Cultivation

Tolerant of most conditions but best in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun.

Propagation

Propagate by division as new growth commences in early spring. Division is also a useful means to rejuvenate mature plants that are congested and bare at the centre

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Hedging and screens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Where stems are left for winter interest, they should be cut to the ground by early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free